Watson’s Mill faces new challenges as city looks to transfer historic Manotick properties

Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. is hoping to save two iconic buildings, as the non-profit faces new challenges. CTV Katelyn Wilson explains.

Nestled along the Rideau River, Dickinson Square has been at the centre of Manotick’s history for more than 100 years.

Watson’s Mill, built in 1860, still runs today as a working flour mill and Dickinson House, built in 1867, was once home to the mill’s owners and now operates as a heritage museum. Together with the Carriage Shed, the three buildings form the heart of the historic square.

“These three buildings together have comprised the heart of Manotick for many years,” said Elaine Eagen, Executive Director of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House. “Without them, we’d be losing a vast amount of heritage not only from Manotick but Ottawa as well.”

“The Carriage Shed is probably the unsung hero of our site because it houses our offices as well as our used bookstore, which raises about $53,000 a year for our organization. So, when we were told the buildings were deemed as surplus it was heartbreaking because we didn’t know how we would operate as an organization.”

Earlier this year, the City of Ottawa declared Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed surplus in an effort to cut costs from its operating budget, a move that paves the way for their transfer to Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc.

Currently, the non-profit owns the mill itself and manages the two city-owned properties.

While the transfer is expected to secure the properties for community use, the non-profit says it will also bring significant challenges.

“We’ve been fortunate to have the operation daily operations covered by the city but with the change it’s all going to fall on our shoulders and the responsibility will be huge,” said fundraising and marketing chair of Watson’s Mill, Shannon Giust.

Instead of selling the historic properties in Manotick on the open market, the city is working with Watson’s Mill to arrange a transfer.

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“We’re closer to the end of that discussion,” said area councillor, David Brown. “We cannot sell them on the open market for a profit and so right now we’re trying to make sure that we transfer these properties at no cost to our community partners.”

For residents, that’s welcome news.

“The square is everything to the community,” said Christopher Napior, a Manotick resident. “The biggest concern is that a developer would swoop in and build condos or commercialize it.”

But even if the transfer is completed, Watson’s Mill will inherit significant costs. Years of deferred maintenance mean repairs to Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed are expected to total nearly $900,000.

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To prepare, the non-profit is launching town halls and several fundraising campaigns in the months ahead.

“I really feel this community can do it,” Giust added. “When we come together, we’ll see great things happen.”

The first of three town hall meetings is scheduled for Sept. 7.

In the meantime, Watson’s Mill says fundraising efforts, including support from local businesses, will be critical in keeping Manotick’s history alive for generations to come.